also passed over the puddle. But in sandy soil laddering of 

 puddle before transplanting is not necessary. The seed 

 should be sown early in the season in light showery weather, 

 as the caking of the soil after a heavy shower of rain prevents 

 free germination. Broadcasted Aus seedlings when they 

 are about 9 inches high are harrowed with a btdtd. It is an 

 operation which does as much harm as good and it is not 

 recommended. The harm done by the uprooting of seedlings 

 is not very noticeable as a great deal more of seed is used 

 than is necessary. The hoeing and weeding done by the 

 Bidia is very imperfect. Passing the bullock-hoe, or the 

 wheel hand-hoe, or the Idngld, or the spade, along straight 

 drills, is much better. 



266. Irrigation. If the soi4 looks dry especially when 

 the plants are coming to ear irrigation should be resorted to. 

 Irrigation at this the thor-mukh stage of growth results in 

 heavy yield, unless seasonable showers make irrigation super- 

 fluous. 



267. Harvesting. Aus paddy should not be allowed to 

 get too ripe. It sheds more easily than Aman paddy. End 

 of September is the usual time for harvesting but early 

 varieties (Shdti, &c.) are harvested, as early as August. Aus 

 straw is also more brittle than Aman straw and it easily gets 

 broken. This is another reason for cutting Aus while it is 

 still somewhat green. The corn is cut close to the ground and 

 left in parallel lines in the field for about a week. Afterwards 

 sheaves are made and 100 to 150 sheaves stooked together 

 and gradually removed and threshed in the threshing floor. 



268. Outturn. The outturn per acre of paddy is 12 to 

 25 mnds. and of straw 10 to 20 puns (20 to 40 mnds). 



269. Diseases will be treated separately in the Part 

 devoted to Insect and Fungus Pests. 



per acre. 

 Cost.-r*i ploughing and i cross-ploughing, with 



laddering @ 12 annas ... ... i 8 o 



